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427
Joined
4/15/2012
Location
Moto Heaven Saddleback Park, CA
US
Edited Date/Time
4/2/2016 9:14am
Like the title says, of those three years, which do you think is the best bike for Vintage racing. I know the best is always subjective, but I would like to hear what you guys have to say.
I know the 78/79 are very similar, and the 1980 had quite a few changes with the center port motor and I not sure what else.
I'm a old fat B rider at best. I've never been into the fastest most explosive motors, I like motors with a broad easy to ride power band. Of the three I would like the one with the best suspension and handling, which I would assume would be the 1980.
Any advise from you guys that have owned and race at least two of the three years would be greatly appreciated.
Thanks
I know the 78/79 are very similar, and the 1980 had quite a few changes with the center port motor and I not sure what else.
I'm a old fat B rider at best. I've never been into the fastest most explosive motors, I like motors with a broad easy to ride power band. Of the three I would like the one with the best suspension and handling, which I would assume would be the 1980.
Any advise from you guys that have owned and race at least two of the three years would be greatly appreciated.
Thanks
The Shop
Forks and shocks sucked like Newmann says, so I put a set of Simmons forks on and a pair of 17 1/2" Fox shocks on the rear.
I also added the best Metzler tires and a few other personal items. Out of all of my race bikes from 1972 to 1986 it was my most favorite moto scooter other than the 1983 Honda CR480.
suspension (which no one used), and the power was definitely mid and up. The '80 saw some pretty big changes and
many viewed it as a step back in power and a step up in suspension. If you are a vet B rider, you'll probably feel more
comfortable on an '80 with it's novice to intermediate friendly powerband. If you're carrying some extra weight, make
sure to reinforce the frame (steering head) and foot peg mounts, especially if you switch to wider pegs (recommended).
You will also want to upgrade the suspension and the front brake if rules allow. A double leading shoe and some mid
80s forks along with aftermarket piggyback shocks will make your life more comfortable.
I don't race vintage MX. Once around with dual shocks and no brakes is enough.
dogger
A lot of people think the 1980 is slow cause its softer, its not. It;s a little easier to ride than the 1979 and they handle that little bit better. With a few mods they are capable of holding there own with the modern boys too. I regularly race against modern bikes... I'm never last. usually around the top 10 at most meetings.
Hey Steve, I have a question, what's the length of the stock rear shock ? and what is the longest shock people put on these with after market swing arms ?
Pit Row
Plus, the bike was basically built out of parts, a frame from here the motor from someone else.. I didnt have a stock plastic tank to go on it anyway! That why I ended up using the '86 cartridge forks. They were given to me by a friend, friend years ago and I didnt have any stock ones.... so I used the 86 ones I had in the shed.
Stock shock length in 17.5", We keep the stock length. The 1" longer arm (2" longer than a '79) makes a real difference to the handling, it's more stable,and it turns better aswell. One thing we found with the 43mm forks, they are longer than the stock 37mm's. So if you run them "flush" with the top of the top yoke the bike handels like a pig! It pushes on in corners, and trys to climb out of ruts. They need to be slid through so they are the same length as the orignal forks, my memory is telling me 914mm from the top face of the top yoke to the axle center, but its easy to double check.
Stevie
But building a quality race bike with new parts,
And trick parts, good luck with that
You better have deep pockets
Or buy a bike that someone else spent
piles of cash on
Junk in stock condition, I owned 2
79 and a 80. They just fell apart
compared to my yamaha's
Better off with the other big three, or
Having spent the last few weekends dangling off the back of it, I can say these are the most incredible bikes. Handles better than the 250. More power than you could ever need. Sublime.
I cut the air box mouning tab off (the wimpy tab you mention) and turned up a steel bobbin the same widthe as the 79 mouning point, and using an original 79 head steady bracket (along with the 79 airbox mouning tab) to position it welded it to the frame. The i used the 79 air box tab (its just a simple L shaped bracket) and a billet version of the stock 79 head steady mount.
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